AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2015 SCORING GUIDELINES
Question 2
15 points total
Distribution
of points
(a)
i.
2 points
Using Ohm’s law:
V = IR
For a correct application of Kirchhoff’s loop rule
e = Ir + IR
I
=
e
(r + R)
For a correct expression for the measured voltage across the variable resistor
V
ii.
=
1 point
e
(r + R )
1 point
R
1 point
For an expression of 1 V as a function of 1 R consistent with answer from part
(a)(i)
1
= er R1 + e1
V
1 point
( )
(b)
4 points
For correctly labeling both axes with variables and units
For correctly scaling both axes with an acceptable and appropriate scale
For correctly plotting the data points
For correctly drawing a straight line that best represents the data
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1 point
1 point
1 point
1 point
AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2015 SCORING GUIDELINES
Question 2 (continued)
Distribution
of points
(c)
i.
2 points
For using a value for the y-intercept consistent with the straight line drawn in
part (b)
y = mx + b
b = 0.080 1 V
For a correct substitution into the equation from part (a)(ii)
(r + R) 1
1
=
V
e R
1
r 1
= e R + e1
V
b=1e
e = 1 (0.080 1 V)
e = 12.5 V
ii.
1 point
1 point
2 points
For calculating the slope using the straight line from part (b) and not data points
y - y1
(0.151 - 0.100)
m= 2
=
= 0.0463 W V
x2 - x1
(1.50 - 0.40)
For a correct substitution into equation from part (a)(ii)
r
m =
1 point
1 point
e
r = me
r = (0.0463 W V )(12.5 V )
r = 0.58 W
(d)
2 points
For using Ohm’s law
e = Ir
For a correct substitution of values from part (c):
(12.5 V ) = I (0.58 W)
I = 21.6 A
(e)
1 point
1 point
2 points
For selecting “The voltmeter with high resistance”
For a correct justification
Example: The voltmeter acts like a resistor in a circuit with the battery. It will
measure the potential difference across its own internal resistance. The higher
its internal resistance, the closer its potential difference will be to the emf of the
battery.
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1 point
1 point
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©2015 The College Board.
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AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2015 SCORING COMMENTARY
Question 2
Overview
This problem explored the relationship between resistance and voltage in a basic circuit, and explored how
to experimentally verify the relationship with measurement, graphing, and straight-line fitting. The concepts
stressed are: the relationship between voltage and resistance, the effect of an internal resistance in a battery,
the effect of a voltmeter in a circuit, and the experimental means to find the values of the emf and internal
resistance of the battery.
Sample: E&MQ2 A
Score: 15
Part (a)(i) of this response earned 2 points. The student correctly combines Kirchhoff’s loop rule and Ohm’s
law to find the correct expression for voltage across the variable resistor. Part (a)(ii) of this response earned 1
point. The student takes the correct inverse of the equation in part (a)(i) and is also able to rearrange that
equation so it shows 1/V as a function of 1/R.
Part (b) of this response earned all 4 points. The student makes an appropriate scale and labels the axes
correctly with units. The student neatly and correctly plots the six data points and draws an acceptable bestfit straight line.
Part (c)(i) of this response earned 2 points. The student rewrites the equation from part (a)(ii) and states that
the y-intercept is the inverse of the emf of the battery, then correctly finds the y-intercept and solves for the
emf. Part (c)(ii) of this response earned 2 points. The student uses points from the best-fit line to find the
slope and then correctly uses that slope to find the internal resistance of the battery. Part (d) earned 2 points.
The student explains that the greatest current will be when the variable resistor is zero and then uses Ohm’s
law to correctly solve for the current.
Part (e) of this response earned 2 points. The student correctly selects the voltmeter with high resistance and
then gives a correct justification. The equation from part (a)(i) is even used to back up the choice.
Sample: E&MQ2 B
Score: 11
Part (a)(i) of this response earned 2 points. The student correctly uses a Kirchhoff loop rule equation to solve
for the current in the circuit and then uses that current in Ohm’s law to find the correct expression for voltage
across the variable resistor. Part (a)(ii) of this response earned 1 point. The student takes the correct inverse
of the equation in part (a)(i) and is able to rearrange that equation so it shows 1/V as a function of 1/R.
Part (b) earned all 4 points. The student makes a neat graph that has clearly labeled axes with an appropriate
scale and units. The student correctly plots the points and draws an acceptable best-fit line.
Part (c)(i) of this response earned 2 points. The student determines the y-intercept and then correctly relates
it to the inverse of the emf of the battery. Part (c)(ii) of this response earned 1 point. The student does have a
reasonable value for the slope, but because no work is shown it is not known if the student used data points
or points on the best-fit line. The student earned the point for correctly substituting the slope into the
equation found in part (a)(ii). Part (d) of this response earned 1 point. The student does not use the correct
lowest value of R, i.e., zero.
Part (e) of this response did not earn any points. The student does not check the correct box, and the
justification is not correct.
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AP® PHYSICS C: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
2015 SCORING COMMENTARY
Question 2 (continued)
Sample: E&MQ2 C
Score: 6
Part (a)(i) of this response earned 1 point. The student wrote a correct Kirchhoff loop equation, setting the
sum of the voltages around the circuit equal to zero. But the student left I in the equation, which is not one of
the given variables, so the second point for the correct expression was not earned. Part (a)(ii) of this response
earned no points. The student does not take the proper inverse of the equation in part (a), and the equation
does not contain 1/R.
Part (b) of this response earned 3 points. The scale is appropriate, the data points are plotted correctly, and
the best-fit line is properly drawn. The student lost a point for not putting units on the axes.
Part (c) of this response earned no points. The student does not find the slope or the y-intercept of the graph.
If the student does not find this information the equation cannot be solved for the emf or the internal
resistance of the battery. Part (d) of this response earned 1 point. The student makes an attempt to use
Ohm’s law but is unable to substitute the answers from (c) to find the maximum current.
Part (e) of this response earned 1 point. The student earned the point for checking the correct box that the
voltmeter needs a high resistance, but they do not correctly justify the choice.
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